By Douglas Gillison
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
A US Embassy spokesman said Monday that he was unaware of the rumored possibility that fugitive former Phnom Penh police chief Heng Pov may receive political asylum in the US.
"We are unaware of any plans to consider asylum for Heng Pov," spokesman Jeff Daigle said.
Cambodian police sources have claimed in recent days that Heng Pov may be negotiating for or would receive political asylum in the US.
"As far as we know, that is not correct," Daigle said.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith declined comment when asked how Cambodia's bilateral relations with any country that offers asylum to Heng Pov could be affected.
He also called on Heng Pov to return to Cambodia, as he would be considered innocent until proven guilty at trial.
"Up to now, we want Heng Pov for interrogation. He is not guilty yet. It's better that he comes back and stands trial," Khieu Kanharith said.
"I know that Heng Pov is asking for asylum in exchange for some information but for the government he is still innocent," he said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said: "At this moment, Heng Pov is trying to do everything to mislead public opinion."
Interior Ministry Penal Police Chief Mok Chito said Sunday that Heng Pov's entry visa to Singapore will expire Wednesday. Officials at the Singaporean Embassy could not be contacted Monday, but Cambodian officials believe that Heng Pov is still in Singapore.
It is uncertain whether the fugitive officer, who is wanted for a host of crimes in Cambodia, will be forced to leave the island city-state when his entry visa expires.
David Chen, an Australian lawyer acting for Heng Pov, said in an e-mail last week that he and his client were leaving Singapore and were en route to an unnamed third country. He has not responded to subsequent requests for comment.
Chen's e-mail originated from an Internet address registered to the Intercontinental Hotel in Singapore, where a receptionist said Sunday that Chen had checked out on Thursday.
A receptionist at Ellington Boardman Allport, Chen's law firm in Canberra, said Monday that Chen was out of the office but declined to answer any further questions.
"We are unaware of any plans to consider asylum for Heng Pov," spokesman Jeff Daigle said.
Cambodian police sources have claimed in recent days that Heng Pov may be negotiating for or would receive political asylum in the US.
"As far as we know, that is not correct," Daigle said.
Government spokesman and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith declined comment when asked how Cambodia's bilateral relations with any country that offers asylum to Heng Pov could be affected.
He also called on Heng Pov to return to Cambodia, as he would be considered innocent until proven guilty at trial.
"Up to now, we want Heng Pov for interrogation. He is not guilty yet. It's better that he comes back and stands trial," Khieu Kanharith said.
"I know that Heng Pov is asking for asylum in exchange for some information but for the government he is still innocent," he said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said: "At this moment, Heng Pov is trying to do everything to mislead public opinion."
Interior Ministry Penal Police Chief Mok Chito said Sunday that Heng Pov's entry visa to Singapore will expire Wednesday. Officials at the Singaporean Embassy could not be contacted Monday, but Cambodian officials believe that Heng Pov is still in Singapore.
It is uncertain whether the fugitive officer, who is wanted for a host of crimes in Cambodia, will be forced to leave the island city-state when his entry visa expires.
David Chen, an Australian lawyer acting for Heng Pov, said in an e-mail last week that he and his client were leaving Singapore and were en route to an unnamed third country. He has not responded to subsequent requests for comment.
Chen's e-mail originated from an Internet address registered to the Intercontinental Hotel in Singapore, where a receptionist said Sunday that Chen had checked out on Thursday.
A receptionist at Ellington Boardman Allport, Chen's law firm in Canberra, said Monday that Chen was out of the office but declined to answer any further questions.
5 comments:
Good on you. You will make a lot of people panic of their past activities in illegal trade of drugs and terrorist associations.
Hun Sen=Terrorist
Off course Hun Sen is always been a terrorist. He has created the climate of fears to all Cambodian people. Time will tell how badly smash to his regime.
As concern of a US citizen, I would write to my senators and congressman of my State and District urge them to consider MR.HENG POV a contemporary prime witness and defendent in the durg trafficking case. The State Department and Department of Justice should be considering him as the high value evidence,which he may earn asylum under the Limited Parole Status (PIP)PUBLIC INTEREST PAROLEE. The Federal prosecutor should hold Mr. HENG as a prime suspect,who can use as plead bargain to get into drug trafficking ringleaders or at least to reserve the crucial information for later prosecution. Also in return the US would have more edges in dealing with high ranking officials in Cambodian Government in regard to fighting drug trafficking.
Remember, what was happened to Ex Panama president,Mr Ortega, for allegedly involved with drug tafficking to the US and posed a danger to US security.
I say, USA need to grant him a political asylum in the US. Why? if US don't take him, he'll be dead if he stay any longer in any other country. HunSen will send his spies to do the dirty works. We can learn and get the words out from this man, if he come to US. In US we don't kill the man to silence things out.. We dig into the man to get an answer out. That how we can improve things and move forward.
give this man this Asylum. No Doubt. The real criminal is HunSen and Hok Lundy!!
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